Exploring Altus

Our week started out on an exciting note...tornadoes!  The very thing that made Analiese nervous about our move had come to Oklahoma.  I didn't even know about them until later, which means, obviously, they weren't on top of us!   Instead, they were closer to OKC and some very sad things happened (including elementary schools being hit).  In the meantime, though, everyone not in OK were calling, texting, emailing, etc.  Finally, I had to post on FB..."The Boltons are okay in OK!"

The kids succumbed to allergies this week and Analiese has yet to get over her cough.  Still, we did well enough to begin actually exploring our new town.  What else did we have to do?

Tuesday and Wednesday were highlights for Jonathan, going to the AFB.  A family in our ward is being transferred and they needed help moving and cleaning their base housing.  Ken & Jonathan went Tuesday evening and the kids went with  me Monday.  We had to wait in a visitors area after having my ID checked & double checked and then we had to be escorted by either the brother or sister to their home.  The kids never complained for a moment about having to help (though, really, Analiese just played with the dog - the sister said the dog was feeling neglected and confused, so it was a good thing) and we got to see some cool planes taking off.  At one point, Jonathan cleaning a window in the master bedroom, he called me to look at something.  It was a jackrabbit, hopping around the grass, long ears alertly up.  The AFB is surrounded by a wooded area, so it wasn't surprising to see wildlife.

Thursday was the clincher...this our new home town.  We went to the library!  And a good thing, too!  It is small, not nearly as nice as the big one in Corona, but the librarians were over-the-top friendly & helpful.  They found me a map of the town (I wanted one for the fun of marking things on it), gave me fliers for upcoming events, and were just as nice and chatty as can be.  Now, it may be small, but I did find books by favorite authors that I hadn't read.  They have weekly crafts and activities for kids, even some for teens.  They even have an art class Analiese can take the week Jonathan is at Scout Camp (blessing!).  And while I can't check out books yet (no local utility bill), they said we could reserve them or even just come over and read.

I've been doing my laundry at a laundromat just steps from our new home (the motel laundry is just awful and I've already ruined a favorite shirt there).  While I hate going twice a week (but we only have so many clothes - what we packed), it has become an interested place for people-watching and catching up on gossip.  It is also next door to the United Supermarket, so I've been comparing their prices to the Great Big Blue Monster (aka Walmart).  A little here, a little there.  Oh well.

Here's my hand-drawn map of the area (just the two blocks).  Our home is the red box, United is the big brown U and the laundromat is the small brown L.  Every time I go, I have to drive past the house. 😃 I just want to see it!

We are still attempting to figure out 4-H.  The GPS Saturday was absolutely stumped and couldn't locate the address (somewhere between the college and our credit union??).  I'll have to call them next week.  The kids really want to a) participate and b) have something to do.

Maybe next week I'll describe the tiny apartment we're staying in now.  It's interesting trying to maneuver around each other or cook decent meals in the kitchen with only a small pot and skillet.  But, the pool is open and that makes Analiese happy...at least, when I take her there!